Women’s Sexual Health
Empowering Women's Sexual Health
Women’s sexual health is a vital aspect of overall well-being and deserves specialized care that addresses individual needs and concerns. In Australia, a country committed to advancing healthcare, clinics dedicated to women’s sexual health play a crucial role in providing comprehensive services and empowering women to make informed decisions.
What is sexual health for women?
Sexual health essentially means healthy sex. That is, being able to enjoy and express your sexuality, with the confidence that you’ll:
- avoid sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- avoid unwanted pregnancy
- feel the most pleasure you can (and be pain-free)
- feel safe, respected and valued.
Safer sex is healthy sex
Safer sex simply means preventing the exchange of blood, semen or vaginal fluids during sex.
This will help avoid STIs, and pregnancy. Safer sex includes practices like:
- Always using condoms during intercourse.
- Always using condoms or dental dams when having oral sex.
- Limiting the number of sexual partners to reduce your risk.
- Trying safer sexual activities that don’t involve intercourse or oral sex. This could be kissing, massage, cuddling and mutual masturbation.
- Cleaning sex toys after each use.
- Having an STI screening test before having sex with a new partner (and regular tests during a relationship).
Many STIs are infectious, even when you don’t have symptoms.
Pleasurable sex is healthy sex
Safe and pleasurable sex also relies on addressing any sexual health problems, like painful sex (dyspareunia) in women. This can happen before, during or after vaginal intercourse. Causes of dyspareunia include:
- not enough lubrication
- prolonged use of contraception
- menopause
- a skin infection
- illness (like endometriosis or ovarian cysts)
- recent surgery.
Stress and anxiety can contribute to painful sex as well.
A positive emotional and relational life promotes healthy sex
Sex isn’t just a physical activity; it’s an emotional and relational one as well. This means you may need to address emotional and relational issues to support a healthy sex life.
If you find that sex becomes uncomfortable, even painful, this may be because you are:
- feeling stressed
- self-conscious about your body
- depressed
- anxious.
These are concerns that can be managed with the help of a caring professional.
NOTE: While it is reviewed for clinical accuracy, the content on the Venus Women’s Clinic website does not replace professional advice. This information should not be used as an alternative to professional healthcare. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a doctor or a specialist.
